Leap of the Lion (The Wild Hunt Legacy #4)(122)

“Patrin and Fell spent a decade with humans, learning to kill and nothing else. And…as I told you, my brothers and I never knew anything about the Daonain even before we were captured.”

Fell flinched.

“They don’t know what a Gathering is. They think it’s an orgy. Please, my brothers need instruction rather than…” She bit her lip, unable to continue. Don’t kill them, please, Cosantir.

Before Calum could speak, Alec’s infectious laugh sounded. The sheriff clapped a hand on Calum’s shoulder. “Don’t kill her littermates, brawd. It’s a pain in the tail at a Gathering to have to clean up your mess.”

Calum shot his brother an unreadable look, then his lips twitched and his eyes lightened to gray. “An orgy? Instruction is needed, indeed. Alec, please assign mentors to our new Daonain.”

Patrin’s eyes narrowed. “We already know how to shift.”

Alec gave him an easy grin. “That’s just the beginning. You need to learn to live within the Daonain traditions and Laws. How a female chooses a male, how you know if she’s interested, what the next step is.”

Her brothers looked blank, and Darcy remembered how Owen had lifted her wrist, how his first inhalation had given him the scent of her interest.

“With help, you two might not step on your own tails tonight.” Alec looked around. “Joe. Can you take them on? Give them the Laws of Gathering—as well as etiquette for male/female interactions. I doubt they’ll ignore you.”

Joe Thorson, the grizzled owner of the bookstore, stalked out of the crowd. The old, lean cougar was scarred from the tips of his fingers to his face, and Darcy knew no one interested in survival would ignore him.

Eyes narrowed, he scrutinized Fell and Patrin before he turned. “Do you wish me to take on this task, Cosantir?”

Calum inclined his head.

Thorson bowed slightly. “Your will, Cosantir.”

And Darcy knew Thorson had delivered his first lesson—how a shifter should deal with the God-chosen guardian of a territory.

From Fell’s intent expression, he was absorbing the lesson as quickly as he did everything else. Her brothers were brilliant…when they weren’t being over-protective idiots.

Owen and Gawain moved forward.

Fell blocked their way.

Oh, honestly.

Even as Darcy kicked her brother hard enough to make him grunt, Thorson’s hand fell on his shoulder. The old werecat growled, “A female chooses who she wants, cub.”

Darcy realized the Cosantir was still watching.

Patrin cleared his throat. “Sir. We heard how she talks about these two. They saved her life and she’s obviously… Well, she hardly knows them. She’s so young and—”

“Oh, honestly, you dumbasses,” Darcy snapped. “I’m the same age you are, and I do know what I’m doing.”

Fell’s brows drew together. “Don’t want you to get hurt, chwaer.”

“Sweetie, you’re not experienced, and it’s easy to get confused about sex,” Patrin said, shooting a glare at Owen.

She snorted. “Guys, I escaped the prison well over two months ago. I’ve already experienced a full moon Gathering.”

Patrin’s mouth dropped. “You…what?”

“Did I mate with more males than Gawain and Owen?” she asked lightly. “Yes.”

“And it was an honor to be with you on that, your first Gathering Night.” Donal stood nearby and gave her a slight bow.

“It was.” Tynan smiled at her.

She grinned at the two.

“Just so you know, female, there are others who’d be delighted to be with you tonight,” a burly shifter said, stepping forward.

“I, too, would be pleased to fight for your favor.” A bear-sized shifter presented himself. “You have other choices, you know.”

Choices. The masculine scents and sounds from the gathering males swirled around her. As she breathed in, she remembered her first Gathering. All the males had smelled unique and tantalizing, like a banquet of wonder, and she only had to choose which to sample first.

No one smelled interesting tonight.

She shook her head and sniffed again. Even Tynan and Donal weren’t a temptation. Her feet moved her back a pace.

Calum studied her. “Is there a problem, Darcy?”

“I’m just…” She shrugged. “Not really interested in anyone tonight. Can I have some wine instead?” She could buy Owen and Gawain a drink. She frowned and realized Owen no longer stood in front of Patrin. Where did they—

“There is always wine.” A corner of Calum’s mouth lifted, and he glanced behind her. “However, might you find an interest in those two?”

She turned and Gawain and Owen stood behind her. Their scents washed over her…and suddenly she was drowning in need. Her blood scalded her veins, fogged her mind, and her words came without thinking. “I always want them. Every minute of every day. Especially now.”

She flung herself into their arms. “I missed you.”

Side-by-side, they caught her, and she was lifted off her feet and hugged forcefully enough her ribs creaked. Her arms wound around two necks, fiercely gripping their hair.

And she kissed them. Owen, Gawain, Owen, Gawain.

When they let her down, she took Gawain’s face between her hands and pulled him down so she could look in his deep blue eyes. Would he—did he still…?